Swain murder suspects have August court date

Eight defendants charged with the 2013 murder of Calup Joe Caston in Swain County are slated for an Aug. 11 court date.

“If their attorneys have any motions they’ll be heard, if not it’ll be continued,” explained Alison Barnes, of the Swain County Clerk of Court’s office.

In March 2013, the Swain Sheriff’s Office arrested eight people in connection with Caston’s killing. The victim, age 27, was assaulted at the old 288 boat ramp in Swain, and later died as a result of his injuries after arriving at Mission Hospital in Asheville.

Each defendant faces four different charges: conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, robbery with a dangerous weapon, first-degree kidnapping and first-degree murder.

Curtis Cole Price bonded out in April 2013 on $250,000. In March of this year, Jenkins also posted a $250,000 bond. Correy Hunter Price has yet to make his $500,000 bond and remains in custody.

For two of the eight defendants — Cardonne and Joshua Tyler Price — the state is seeking the death penalty. According to Barnes, the death penalty is being sought due to two “aggravating circumstances” — the murder is considered “especially heinous, atrocious and cruel” and the crime was allegedly “committed while the defendant was engaged in the commission of kidnapping.”